Eventers Use Color to Show National Pride, Personality

Leo von Schmeling und Johnny Boy 2 at Warendorf. Photo by Julia Rau.

Color has always played a unique role in eventing. Whether you’re more minimalist in your color choices or go all out on cross country, color is the best way to show your personality, and at international competitions, it’s a perfect way to show national pride. Inspired by the photos we posted yesterday of Margit Appelt, photographer extraordinaire and good friend of EN Julia Rau sent in some “colorful impressions” from events over in Europe.

Margit Appelt and Ice on Fire at Punchestown in 2003. Photo by Julia Rau.

“Margit Appelt really does outstanding things,” Julia said. “I remember her trotting up her horse Ice on Fire in the Europeans in Punchestown in 2003 in a classic Austrian dirndl complete with woolen stockings. Other riders choose their national colours or even — like Michael Jung started doing but only recently, maybe under the influence of his girlfriend Faye Fuellgraebe — use colourful stirrups or browbands inlaid with crystals.”

Ladina Ammann and Muscot at Marbach this year. Photo by Julia Rau

There’s almost always a story behind the colors we choose. What’s yours, EN? Leave us a photo of your colors and tell us why you chose them in the comments below. You can also post to our Facebook page, tweet @eventingnation and tag us on Instagram at @goeventing. Eventers are an eclectic, colorful bunch; that’s something to celebrate.